Purdue donation incites First Amendment fight over 'God' plaque

9:04 AM,
Feb. 28, 2014

A proposed donor plaque inside the new site of Herrick Laboratories at Purdue University is a bone of contention for a Purdue University alumnus and donor. Michael McCracken says his First Amendment rights have been violated through Purdue's refusal to reference the word 'God' in a memorial plaque in the building.

Written by

Hayleigh Colombo

A Purdue University alumnus alleges his First Amendment rights were violated by his alma mater over a donation to the college.

When Michael McCracken and his wife made a $12,500 donation to Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering in 2012, Purdue asked the engineering graduate to provide an inscription for a conference room dedication plaque, which would be installed in the recently renovated Herrick Laboratories.

But the words McCracken chose, in honor of his parents, turned out to be controversial. ...